Statement

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on House Appropriations Bill That Would Provide Students With Less Healthy Food

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today made the following statement on the House appropriations bill:

"The House bill would undermine the effort to provide kids with more nutritious food and would be a major step backwards for the health of American children, just at the time childhood obesity rates are finally starting to level off. School nutrition standards are developed by independent experts, over 90% of schools report that they are successfully implementing them, and studies show they are working to help kids be healthier. USDA has continued to show flexibility in implementing these new standards, and Congress should focus on partnering with USDA, states, schools, and parents to help our kids have access to more healthy food, not less."